The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS-NCCB), a non-profit professional organization serving the Greater Washington D.C. television community, and Press Forward, a new initiative to stop sexual harassment and assault in newsrooms, have aligned to create safe and healthy workplaces in the television industry. The alliance was unanimously agreed upon by the NATAS-NCCB Board of Governors, a group of elected professionals and NATAS-NCCB members representing a diverse cross-section of the broadcasting community throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia area.

Press Forward’s initiatives to create a safe work environment and elevate the stature of women in the workplace beginning in the newsroom include the following:

Innovative Sexual Harassment and Assault Trainings: Press Forward is partnering with the Poynter Institute and working with newsrooms across the country to raise awareness with in-person training and original content.

Culture Assessments: Press Forward is working with newsroom leaders to help assess workplace environments, especially for women.

Industry Blueprint: Press Forward will conduct a six-month study with newsrooms across the country to understand workplace cultures for the state of the industry and make concrete recommendations for change.

Legal Defense Fund: In collaboration with TIME’S UP™, contributing towards the Legal Defense Fund to support those vulnerable in the media industry facing discrimination and harassment.

Thought Leadership on Solutions: Press Forward offers panel discussions to foster dialogue about the way forward for media after #MeToo. Press Forward also aims to develop best practices, policy guidelines and standards, supported